Door check



Jan. 6, 1942.' F. J. wEs'rRoPE DooR CHECK Filed April 26, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Srmentor Jan. 6, 1942. F. 4. wEsTRoPE 2,268,977l

Gttornegs Patented Jan. (i,` 1942 UNITED STATES oFF-ICE .This invention relates to door checksv and,y -in particular, to vehicle door checks for checking the `swinging movementsjof a hingedly supported door.

One object of this invention is to provide a l, door check adapted to apply a different retarding force to the door in one direction 'ofy its movement than in the other direction thereof.

Another object is to provide a door check havf ing cam means adapted to releasably hold the door in open position yet to tilt andl release the door when a force isf applied, thereto in excess of a predetermined force.

Another object is to provide a door check having means associated therewith for applying a relatively slight retarding force to the door during its opening movement but a vrelatively great retaining force for holding the door in an'open position.

Another object is to provide a door check hav- .1

ing a yieldingly urged tiltable cam engagedl by a projection on the door check'linkr or strap to tilt the cam with a relatively slight retarding force during the opening movement of the door but to tilt the cam in the opposite direction with aA relatively great retarding force resisting the Closing movement of the door and releasably holding the door in its open position.

Another object is to provide a door check as i set forth in the preceding objects wherein an abutment is also provided for bringing the door to a halt at the end of its opening movement.

Another object is to provide a door check'as set forth inv the preceding objects wherein the cam is urged into engagementwith an opposing element of the door check by a spring member,

such as a leaf spring or a coil spring. o In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a topVplan View, partlylin section, showing one embodiment of the invention inthe closed position of the door and with a cam having a coil spring for urging it into engagement with the door strap or link;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing the door in its checked position at the end of its opening movement; v

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section along the line 4 4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section along the line 5-5V in Fig. 4;

y Fig.` 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, butI showing a modification having a tension adjustment for the cam urging spring; o

Fia 81s a .fertial cross, Scinlong the line s Fig. 7;

IIig. 9 'is a `View similar toI Fig.4 but showing a further VVmodiiication having a'hollow4 cam urged bycoil spriIIgS;k f Y Fig. 10AV is: a vertical cross Section along theline In--llin Fg.9;v .ig. 11 isfa View similarto Fig. 10. but showing a modification wherein a block'of resilient rubber-like material is employed in place ofthe coil Springs; o

|.2l2 in` Fig. 1l;

'Fig'. 13 is a modification similar to"Fig. 4 but having a shorter cam and coil spring; Y` Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 4; but showin a-modication having a pair of opposed cams engaging opposite sidesof rthe door link or strap; and

Fig. 15zis a righthandend elevation of thelde- Vice shown in Fig. 14, with the door link or strap Y in cross section.

In general the door check of the Aresent invention consists of a strap or link having a projectionengaged by a cam which is urged into engagement therewith'byspring mechanism. This door check is so arranged as to retard the move.- ment of a swinging door in a gradual manner so as to avoid damage tothe dooror body and at the same time' 'releasably" hold the door injan ture. v The retaining structure or housing contains a tiltable cam engageable with a projection on the strap or link and having a spring member for maintaining this engagement.

Y Y y optional forms` ofy springs are disclosed. o v

' A VOne characteristic of thev invention is the prorvision of a door check which will exert a relatively slight retarding force uponthe door structure during its opening movement but which will exert a relatively powerful retaining force to prevent the closing of the door' and to releasably retain the'door in its open position. This is acycomplishedby providing the tiltable camfWh. al 1 y .high Porti@ having a .gradual `mproach. anche' ,55 fside andan'abrupt approach uponthetlier Side Fig., 12 isa Vernon cross section along the une Optional f "means are provided for adjusting the tension of thisv spring member and other these being preferably positioned to respectively engage abruptly and gradually inclined portions on the door link or strap.

form a bracket, generally designated I8, and

carrying a pivot pin I9 whichpivotally engages the door link or strap 20. The latter isprovided with a projection 2| having a'gradually inclined portion 22 and an abruptly inclined portion 23, these being formed by upsetting a portion of the link 26 as at 24. This forms a projectionon the one side of the link and a depression-upon' the other side thereof. The end of the link is provided with a pin engaged by a plate 26l serving as a backing for a resilient block 21 ofrubber-like material.

Secured as at 28 to the wall of the door structure II is a retaining structure or housing 30 and a closure plate 3| therefor (Fig. 2). AThese are provided respectively with apertures 32, 33 and 34 through which the link 2U passes. The retaining structure 36 above the apertures 33 and 34 is provided with a curved bearing portion engaged by the upper surface of the link or strap 20.

The underside of the link or strap 20 is engaged by a tiltable cam 36 having a high portion 31 with inclined approaches 38 and 49 on opposite sides thereof and with flattened portions 4S] and 4| leading downwardly therefrom to a curved cylindrical portion 42 seated in a correspondingly curved cylindrical depression` 43 in a block 44. The latter is provided with a stern 45 surrounded by a coil spring 46. One end of the coil sp-ring 46 engages the lower wall 41 of the retaining structure or housingA 3B, whereas, the

y, other end engages the block 44'to urge the cam 36 into engagement with the link 29, and particularly into engagement with the projections 2| thereon. The retaining structure or housing 36 is provided with a wall 48 adapted to be engaged by the flat portion 4| of the cam 36 when the latter is tilted to the right after the projection 2| passesby it as the door is swung into its open position (Figs. 2 and 3).

In the operation of the door check, with the door in its closed position (Figs. 1 and 2)-, the cam 36 is tilted into the position shown in Fig. 2 by the action of the coil spring 46. When the door structure II is opened, the strap or link 2D and the cam 36 move relatively to one another and the projection 2| slides over the cam 36 and drops 4into position upon the side thereof. The cushion block 21 then comes into engagement with the housing or retaining structure 39 and halts the opening movement of the door in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The abruptly inclined portion 23 of the projection 2| is then in engagement with the portion 39 of the cam 36 and holds the door in its open position.

To close the door, a substantially powerful force must be applied thereto so as to force the projection 2| over the cam 36 while the latter is pushed downwardly against the urge of the coil spring 46 as it is being tilted to theV right.

`When the cam 36 reaches its extreme right hand position, its flat surface 4I `engages the inner -surface of the wall 48 and slides thereon in agees?? I portion 23 of the projection 2| over the top 31 vof the cam 36 and tilt the latter in the opposite direction.

The modification shown in Fig. 6 is similar to rthe form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, except 'that the housing or retaining structure 30 is provided witha threaded portion 56 engaged by the corresponding threads 5I of an adjusting .screw 52 having an enlargement 53 engaging the lower end of the coil spring 46. By turning the adjusting screw 52, the force of the coil spring 46 may be increased or decreased as desired.

The modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is generally similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, except that a double leaf spring 6| is employed for urging the cam 36 upwardly into engagement with the strap or link 20. A flat spring 62 is also optionally employed in engagement with the upper surface of the strap or link 26.

In the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the cam 36 is provided with hollow sockets 54 for receiving coil springs 55. The sockets 54 enter into a recess 56 in the form of a lateral groove (Fig. l0). The groove 56 serves to receive a pin 51 supported between the opposite walls of the housing or retaining structure 30.

In the operation of the modification shown in Figs. 9 and l0, the gradual incline 22 of the projection 2| rides easily over the gradually inclined portion 38 of the cam 36 and the abruptly inclined portion 23 snaps into the position of Fig. 9 over the high portion 31 and in engagement with the abruptly inclined portion 39 of the cam 36. The cushion block -21 then engages the housing 30 and brings the door structure II to a halt at the end of its opening movement. The door structure is thus 'held in its open position until a powerful force is applied, sufficient to push the projection portion 23 over the cam portion 39 and compress the coil springs 55 while pushing the cam 36 downwardly as it is tilted and swung to the right (Fig. 9). l At the end of itstilting movement its outer side 4I slidingly engages the Vinner wall 43ofv the housing or retaining structure 3U (Fig. 9).

The modification shown in-Figs. 1l and Y12 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 9 and 10 except that a block 58 of resilient or rubber-like material is inserted Vin a hollow recess 59 inthe cam 36 in engagement with a bearing member 60 which in turn engages the cross pin` 51. The operation of the modification of Figs. '1l and 12 is similar to that ofFigs. 9 and 10. y

The modification shown in-Fig. 13 is similar to the form shown'in Figs. l tof5, inclusive, except that the cam 36 is relatively shorter and is engaged by a hollow cap 63 partly surrounding the coil spring 46. The device is Yalso provided with a wear plate 64 engaging the upper surface of the link or strap 29. The operation of this modification is similar to that of the form nshown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. Y Y 1 A The modification shown in Figs.V l4and 15 employs a pair of cams 66 on opposite sides of agees?? the `link or Vstrati) 20, and engageablewith apair of projections v2| similar. to thosealready 'described by projecting in; opposite directions. AThe .cams 66 are urged toward the link or straprZ by multiple leaf springs E1 extending transversely of the retaining structure or housing 68.

n The cams 66 are of polygonal cross section and having ilat sides 69, 70, 1|, 12', 13 and 'hl-together with a rounded highr portion 'l5 engageable with a projection 2| on the link or strap 29.

In the operation of .the modification shown in Figs. 14'and 15, the opening of the door causes the projections 2| to slip past the cams ,66 into the position shown in Fig. 14, and the cushion block 2`| brings the door to a halt. The door is held inY its open position by the engagement of the abruptly inclined portions 28 of the projections 2| with the aforesaid portions 'I3 of the cams 66 until a force is applied which is sufficient to overcome the thrust of the multiple 'leaf springs Bl. When this occurs, the cams 66 are tilted to the right and forced outwardly in opposite directions away from each other, compressing the springs 61. When the cams l|| reach their extreme right hand positions, theirattened portions engage the adjacent inner walls of the housing or retaining structure 68 and slide relatively thereto as the springs 61 are compressed. After the projections 2| pass over the peaks or high portions of .the cams 66, the latter are pushed toward each other by the multiple springs 61 until they again assume the positions of Fig. 14, but with the projections 2| now on the right hand side thereof.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it will be understood that various modifications may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of vthe invention,

What I claim is:

1. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through vsaid retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, tiltably movable cam means pivotally mounted in said retaining means, means for restricting the motion of said cam means to a path to and fro along the path of said elongated member, spring means for urging said cam means into engagement with said elongated member, and means on said elongated memberk spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means to tilt said cam means to and fro in response to the motion of said elongated member for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam means having a high portion with a gradual approach on one side thereof.

2. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures.

an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, tiltably movable cam means pivotally mounted in said retaining member spaced apart from said. abutment and ,engageable with said cam vmeans to tilt said cam means to and fro in response to the motion of said elongated member for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam means having a high portion with a gradual approach on one side thereof vand anA abruptap.- lpreach on the other side thereof. Y

3. VIn a door check for checking the opening movement of a. door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retain.- ing means associated with one of said structures. an elongated member yassociated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, cam means' asso.- ciated with said retaining means, .spring means for urging said cam meansinto engagement with said elongated member, means'on said elongated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, and bearing means disposed between said cam vrmeans and said spring means for tiltably receiving and supporting-said cam means.

4. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supportingl structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an`

gated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said retaining means having a bearing portion thereon and said cam means having a cooperating `bearing portion slidably engageable with said retaining means bearing portion in response to the shifting of said cam means.

5. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open vposition relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment kon said elongated member positioned to halt the openingV movement of the door structure, cam means associated with said retaining means, spring means for urging said cam means into engagement with y said elongated member, and means on said elonsaid cam means having a high portion With a gradual approach on one side thereof.

6. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said 'retaining means, an abutment on said elongated ating bearing portion slidably engageable with said retaining means bearing portion in response to the shifting of said cam means, and said cam means having a high portion with a gradual approach on one side thereof and an abrupt approach on the other side thereof.

'7. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relativel;7 to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, cam means associated with said retaining means, spring means for urging said cam means into engagement with said elongated member, and means on said elongated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam means having a hollow recess for receiving said spring means therein.

8. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, cam means associated with said retaining means, spring means for urging said cam means into engagement with said elongated member, means on said elongated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam means having a hollow recess thereacross for receiving said spring means, and a supporting member in said recess in engagement with said spring means.

9. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associated with one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, cam means associated with said retaining means, spring means for urging said cam means into engagement with said elongated member, means on said elongated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam means having a hollow recess thereacross for receiving said spring means, and a supporting member in said recess in engagement with said spring means, said supporting member being mounted in said retaining means and extending thereacross.

10. In a door check for checking the opening movement of a door structure and for releasably holding the door structure in an open position relatively to a supporting structure, retaining means associatedwith one of said structures, an elongated member associated with the other of said structures and extending through said retaining means, an abutment' on said elongated member positioned to halt the opening movement of the door structure, cam means associated with said retaining means, resilient means for urging said cam means into engagement with said elongated member, and means on said elongated member spaced apart from said abutment and engageable with said cam means for releasably holding the door structure in an open position, said cam having a hollow recess therein for receiving said resilient means.

FREDERICK J. WESTROPE. 

